Today
in Wilmington
Thursday, January 15th, 2026
Good morning, Wilmington. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 15th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade returns downtown next month with former WNBA player as grand marshal — marking its first run after a one-year hiatus. WECT
- ➤ Part of the Hampstead Kiwanis Park playground near the large picnic shelter & concession stand will close when officials begin replacing equipment on Monday, Jan. 19 and the work will take about four weeks. FOX Wilmington
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Tropical Smoothie Cafe will open its fifth location in Myrtle Grove on Feb. 2 at 5621 Carolina Beach Road and will hold a grand opening celebration with special offers, giveaways and a ribbon cutting ceremony from Feb. 13 to Feb. 15. WWAY
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The No Boundaries International Art Residency exhibit will open this month at ACME Art Studios in Wilmington, featuring art created during a two-week residency on Bald Head Island; a public reception is scheduled for Jan. 23 (6 to 9 p.m.) and an Open Studio Day is set for Jan. 20 at Boathouse Provisions Restaurant. FOX Wilmington
- ➤ Encore magazine, a 35-year-old alternative weekly covering local arts, will relaunch as a nonprofit on Jan. 29 with a quarterly print edition. Executive director Shannon Gentry is rallying community fundraisers and grants to support local storytelling. Port City Daily
- ➤ The No Boundaries International Art Residency will debut an exhibit from its two-week Bald Head Island residency; a public reception is set Jan. 23 (6 to 9 p.m.) at ACME Art Studios and an Open Studio Day is planned Jan. 20 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at Boathouse Provisions. WECT
- ➤ The Miss Wilmington Pageant returned on Jan. 10— the first since 2020— crowning Andi Creech as Miss Wilmington and Olivia Lancaster as Miss Wilmington’s Teen. Winners received $1,000 scholarships and will serve as community ambassadors. Wilmington Star-News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ CFCC and Johnson & Wales University have launched a transfer pathway for culinary students to earn a bachelor’s degree in food-focused fields. Eligible students with a 2.7 GPA and an associate degree will be able to enroll in one of three bachelor programs, as noted by CFCC President Jim Morton. WWAY
- ➤ Children can explore science as Ingram Planetarium and the Museum of Coastal Carolina host a preschool STEM day on Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; activities include a Sea Tales program at 11:30 a.m. and a dome theater show with Big Bird + Elmo for hands-on learning. WWAY
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Battleship North Carolina’s 'Living with Water' project replaced a flood-prone parking lot with wetlands and a tidal creek on Eagles Island — near downtown — and since Jan. 14 it has prevented flooding that once affected visitor access. The $5.6M effort also fosters a growing habitat for birds and marine life. Wilmington Star-News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Hospitals and sheriffs clash over Iryna’s Law on mental health evaluations for violent offenders—hospitals say tests should be in a medical facility while sheriffs worry about jail evaluations. A Raleigh committee will meet soon to hear views from healthcare workers, law officers and patients. WECT
- ➤ New Hanover County residents will have free tax preparation services from IRS-certified volunteers starting Feb. 2 through April 15. Tax assistance is offered at the County Senior Resource Center, Kure Beach First Baptist Church, and MLK Community Center (appointments or first-come service required). WECT
- ➤ Residents in Echo Farms oppose a proposal for two drive-thrus at the neighborhood entrance, citing safety concerns and traffic buildup. The Board of Adjustment is set to review the variance today but may continue the item as developers adjust the site plan. Port City Daily
- ➤ New Hanover County's draft Destination 2050 Comprehensive Plan projects a 48% population increase to 333,488 by 2050 and shows most new residents will come from outside the region. County commissioners will review the plan on Feb. 2 with a public hearing for neighbor feedback. WECT
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Charleston Cougars at UNC Wilmington Seahawks Women's Basketball
7-11 p.m. — Trask Coliseum — Tickets available — Catch the action as the Cougars take on the Seahawks in a thrilling women's basketball matchup.
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Hampton Pirates vs. UNC Wilmington Seahawks Women's Basketball
7-11 p.m. — Trask Coliseum — $15 — Experience an exciting women's basketball matchup between the Pirates and Seahawks.
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Seahawk Sun Run
All day — University of North Carolina Wilmington — $40+ — Participate in the North Carolina Azalea Festival Seahawk Sun Run and enjoy a vibrant celebration of fitness and community.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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